HDTV

Sezmi’s low cost cable / satellite premium TV alternative launches in L.A.

svendy — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:32:20 +0000

Ready for yet another way to watch TV? Sezmi has just gone on the air in Los Angeles, offering its unique blend of premium OTA and internet delivered video to a few limited trial users. $5 a month brings whatever local networks you can pull in, basic IPTV (YouTube, OnNetworks, podcasts) and internet VOD (CinemaNow) access, while throwing an Andrew Jackson on top of that adds “more than 100 cable TV networks,” delivered via antenna. According to the L.A. Times that doesn’t include any channels from the Disney or Fox family like ESPN, regional sports networks or premium movie channels, but if those are already stations you’re avoiding, it’s a cheaper option than most cable TV plans. Other than the allure of sticking it to the current distribution model, the 1TB DVR package includes a rather unique UI to aggregate and even seek out new shows for you from those varied sources, while maintaining individual profiles for different users. The three month trial has just the right price — free — so even with little info on how much high definition Sezmi’s network can handle or what areas or channels will be added next, it’s at least worth a look.

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

Netflix hitting internet-capable Sony BRAVIA sets today

paolinalucydd — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:02:43 +0000

Good news for folks who against all odds don’t have a home theater Netflix streaming option yet, and yet inexplicably own an internet-connected Sony BRAVIA TV: Netflix just went live. It just takes applying the latest software update and you’re in business. BRAVIA owners were promised the update back in July, and let us be the first to point and laugh insensitively at PS3 owners who have use a “DVD” to get Netflix working on their Cell-powered supermachines.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Moxi Fall update comes with a lower price and a new 3 tuner model

olcia1802 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:23:48 +0000

Although Moxi hasn’t really taken a piece of our heart, it has kept its promise of updates with the third one due just before the holiday season. The most notable news today from Moxi’s new owner Arris though is a new three tuner HD DVR, which we believe is the first to break the two tuner barrier (that isn’t PC based). The new model is only available bundled with either one, or two Moxi Mates for $799 or $999. You can still buy the dual tuner version by itself which now retails for $499 instead of $799 — don’t forget, Moxi doesn’t charge service fees — and the Moxi Mate itself is now $299 instead of $399. The bad news it that the no interest payment options are off the table. The best news for existing Moxi owners is that the Fall update brings Live TV streaming to the Moxi Mate as well as new recording defaults, but we continue to wait for the ability to customize the Recorded TV list. All in all, Moxi has made much progress since we did our review, but our biggest gripe goes unaddressed, but then again we really didn’t expect Moxi to redesign the entire UI just because we didn’t like it.
Show full PR text
New Three-Tuner Moxi HD DVR and Reduced Pricing for Moxi Multi-Room
Packages Unwrapped for Holiday Season
Under ARRIS Ownership, Moxi Continues to Innovate and Deliver
New Features to Consumers
SUWANEE, GA – November 10, 2009 – As part of its first product update since acquiring the award-
winning Moxi product line from Digeo, Inc. in September, ARRIS (Nasdaq: ARRS) today announced
the introduction of a three-tuner version of the Moxi HD DVR as well as reduced pricing for its two-
tuner Moxi HD DVR and Moxi multi-room packages.
The new three-tuner Moxi HD DVR, which allows for recording of three channels
simultaneously while watching a fourth recorded program, is available in a Moxi HD DVR
plus Moxi Mate bundle for $799 MSRP.
The price of the two-tuner Moxi HD DVR introduced earlier this year has been reduced to
$499 MSRP (formerly $799).
In addition, ARRIS is introducing a three-room multi-room bundle option-a three-tuner
Moxi HD DVR plus two Moxi Mates that collectively serve three rooms for $999.
The company also announced plans to deliver live TV on the Moxi Mate via the Moxi HD DVR. The
Moxi HD DVR will receive the update automatically through a software download. Additionally, the
price of the Moxi Mate has been reduced to $299 (formerly $399).
“We’ve heard from consumers that they love the Moxi products but are looking for different price and
component options to serve their individual needs,” said Marc Beckwitt, VP of CPE Video Business
Development, ARRIS. “The recent acquisition by ARRIS brings the market presence and leverage
required to drive cost out of the product, and consequently, we’re able to offer these very competitive
prices to consumers.”
ARRIS continues to stand by the commitment to deliver the Moxi “all in”, with no monthly or lifetime
DVR service fees. Moxi also has no in-menu advertisements.
The Moxi HD DVR is designed to appeal to the most demanding digital cable entertainment
enthusiasts. Some of its key attributes include:
A native HD interface and Emmy® award-winning Moxi Menu
Up to 75 hours of HD recording space or up to 300 hours at standard definition, and
expandable to 6.5 Terabytes for up to 1000 hours of HD recording with an external eSATA
drive
Access to many Internet services consumers already use, such as Rhapsody®, Flickr® and
online video from Netflix®, Hulu™, and YouTube™ via DLNA server software such as
PlayOn™ (currently provided at no charge) running on their PC
Multi-room viewing with the Moxi Mate and the ability to record three channels simultaneously
while watching a fourth recorded program on the three-tuner version of the Moxi HD DVR
Remote and mobile browser scheduling to set recordings while away from home
MoxiNet for full-screen web browsing and SupertickerTM -a ticker widget that provides
information, such as weather, sports scores and news along the bottom of the screen
The Moxi HD DVR makes it effortless for consumers to discover, experience and share high definition
media from their digital cable provider, PCs on the home network, and the Internet.
Also scheduled for release later this month are additional software upgrades to Moxi, which include
new search and record option menus. These software updates will enable users to specify preferred
record settings that can be applied to any new recorded TV shows or TV series. The new menu
structure delivers easier access and better visibility related to the DVR function of the Moxi HD DVR,
such as available hard drive space and other Moxi HD DVR related recording and scheduling
functions.
Software upgrades, which have been delivered each quarter since unveiling the Moxi at CES in
January 2009, continue to be delivered to the consumer automatically and at no charge.
Taking advantage of ARRIS e-tail infrastructure, the company is also introducing payment via major
credit card instead of the PayPal option previously offered. The new Moxi pricing and bundle options
are available now at www.moxi.com.
For more details, technical specifications and screen images of the Moxi HD DVR and Moxi Mate,
please visit: www.moxi.com. You can also follow Moxi on Twitter at www.twitter.com/moxi_hd or on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/moxi.hd.

Managed Copy hits Blu-ray Discs December 4th, but you still can’t use it

trialsoft — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:25:39 +0000

The egg had to come before the chicken right? Well either way, one of ‘em came first and in the case of the latest Blu-ray feature, Managed Copy, the Blu-ray Discs will come before the hardware. Less than five months since AACS was finalized and the details of Managed Copy were revealed and so far we’ve only seen one demo and not a single product announcement. This doesn’t surprise us, but AACS-LA is apparently surprised because although all Blu-ray Discs sold after December 4th have no choice but to allow at least one copy to be made, the requirement to label the packaging as such has been postponed until Spring of next year. We’d expect at least a few products that support Managed Copy to be announced at CES and although we highly doubt any stand-alone Blu-ray players will sport this feature anytime soon, we do have our hopes on PC software and expect a few movie jukebox devices like Kaleidescape — that we won’t be able to afford — will be announced at the big show in Vegas.

VUDU brings Pandora, Picasa and Flickr to connected HDTVs, promises more apps soon

metrocarryzjj — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:01:24 +0000

And you thought HDTVs were made for watching TV. VUDU has today slung its (admittedly paltry) library of applications over to its television partners, making both Picasa and Flickr access possible through LG and Mitsubishi sets with integrated VUDU software. Of course, all of this was already available to those relying on one of VUDU’s dedicated set-top boxes, but it’s always nice to have everything wrapped up neatly within the display itself. In related news, Pandora streaming is also available on VUDU-infused Mitsubishi panels, though for whatever reason, LG has “requested that only free TV and games be available on their devices.” All bummers aside, the company has asserted that even more internet apps will be released to VUDU customers in the coming months, so make sure hold ‘em to their word.

Apple TV 3.0 software update is out, with iTunes Extras, LP & Genius in tow

amromis — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:35:46 +0000

Looks like Apple’s “hobby” is finally getting the iTunes Extra & LP features it was initially denied, as the Apple TV 3.0 software has just released, featuring a brand new main menu (above) plus Genius Mixes and internet radio access. It took a reboot and a few tries for units around here to start seeing the new software was available, so feel free to give that “check for updates” button a workout, ’til then the official PR is after the break describing what your box is missing.

Show full PR text
Apple Introduces Apple TV 3.0 Software With Redesigned User Interface
Enjoy iTunes Extras, iTunes LP & Genius Mixes on Your HD TV

CUPERTINO, California-October 29, 2009-Apple® today introduced new Apple TV® 3.0 software featuring a redesigned main menu that makes navigating your favorite content simpler and faster, and makes enjoying the largest selection of on-demand HD movie rentals and purchases, HD TV shows, music and podcasts from the iTunes® Store even better on your TV. You can now enjoy iTunes Extras and iTunes LP in stunning fullscreen with your Apple TV, as well as listen to Genius Mixes and Internet radio through your home theater system. The new Apple TV software is available immediately free of charge to existing Apple TV owners, and Apple TV with 160GB capacity is available for just $229.

“The new software for Apple TV features a simpler and faster interface that gives you instant access to your favorite content,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of Internet Services. “HD movies and HD TV shows from iTunes have been a huge hit with Apple TV customers, and with Apple TV 3.0 they get great new features including iTunes Extras, Genius Mixes and Internet radio.”

The redesigned main menu on Apple TV gives you instant access to your favorite content. Recently rented or purchased movies, as well as other content including TV shows, music, podcasts, photos and YouTube, are accessible directly from the new main menu. The new software also allows Apple TV users to enjoy stunning fullscreen iTunes Extras and iTunes LP, including great new movie titles such as “Star Trek” or classics like “The Wizard of Oz” and albums such as Taylor Swift’s “Fearless (Platinum Edition)” and Jack Johnson’s “En Concert.” iTunes Extras gives movie fans great additional content such as deleted scenes, interviews and interactive galleries. iTunes LP is the next evolution of the music album, delivering a rich, immersive experience for select albums on the iTunes Store by combining beautiful design with expanded visual features like live performance videos, lyrics, artwork, liner notes, interviews, photos, album credits and more.

Now Apple TV users can enjoy Genius Mixes through their home theater system and listen to up to 12 endless mixes of songs that go great together, automatically generated from their iTunes library. Customers can also enjoy Internet radio, allowing them to browse and listen to thousands of Internet radio stations, as well as tag favorite stations to listen to later. Apple TV’s support of HD photos is enhanced with iPhoto Events, which simplifies finding your favorite photos on Apple TV, as well as iPhoto® Faces, which gives access to photos organized by people identified in iPhoto.

Apple TV users have direct access to a catalog of over 8,000 Hollywood films on iTunes including over 2,000 in stunning HD video available for rent or purchase. Users can also choose from a selection of 11 million songs, 10,000 music videos and over 50,000 TV episodes to purchase directly from their Apple TV or browse and enjoy the iTunes Store podcast directory of over 175,000 free video and audio podcasts. Purchases downloaded to Apple TV are automatically synced back to iTunes on the user’s computer for enjoyment on their Mac® or PC or all current generation iPods or iPhones.* iPod touch® or iPhone® users can download the free Remote app from the App Store to control their Apple TV with a simple tap or flick of the finger.

Pricing & Availability
The new Apple TV software is available as a free automatic download to all Apple TV customers. The 160GB Apple TV is available from the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $229 (US). Apple TV requires an 802.11b/g/n wireless network or 10/100 Base-T Ethernet networking, a broadband Internet connection and a high definition widescreen TV. Video availability varies by country.

Apple TV easily connects to a broad range of widescreen TVs and home theater systems and comes standard with HDMI, component video, analog and optical audio ports. Using high-speed Wi-Fi, Apple TV automatically plays your iTunes content without setup or management.

*Movie rentals work on iPod classic®, iPod nano® with video, iPod touch, iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

Fully-functional iPhone 3GS costume is expensive, bulky, and better than your Halloween idea

prestigesmwm — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:27:00 +0000

What could possibly convince you that strapping a 42-inch LCD TV to your body is a great idea? We don’t know, but somewhere between concept and the $2,000 total expenditures — with “no regrets,” mind you — Reko Rivera and John Savio, with the help of John Matthews, outfitted themselves with the displays used to project images from their iPhone 3GS. Unfortunately, the large screens themselves aren’t touch screens, but we probably can’t be that picky. Their reward? First prizes at costume parties and minor internet celebrity, which we’re happy to oblige. Video after the break.

[Via TUAW]

See more video at our hub!

Microsoft: ‘We have no plans for Blu-ray on Xbox 360′

offegoalofido — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:25:42 +0000

A recent Gizmodo sit down with Steve Ballmer led with a headline exclaiming a Blu-ray add-on for Xbox was coming. See, when Ballmer was asked about making the Xbox a home theater companion of choice and where Blu-ray might fit in, the Windows 7 wild man said, “Well I don’t know if we need to put Blu-ray in there — you’ll be able to get Blu-ray drives as accessories.” He then added that on-demand is the future of movies, not physical media. Now our bud Major Nelson, Director of Programming for Xbox Live, has stepped up to lay the conflation to rest. The Major says that Ballmer was referring to Blu-ray accessories for the PC and reiterated Microsoft’s focus of bringing instant-on 1080p streaming movies to the Xbox 360. So… that should end speculation of Blu-ray on Xbox right? Not if history serves, nope.

Xbox 360 Dashboard Update… updates: Preview program reopened, Sky TV due Oct. 27

amromis — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:35:02 +0000

Just as it did earlier this year, Microsoft has opened the preview program to let the most hardcore of Xbox 360 owners poke around the updated dashboard — presumably with access to all the 1080p instant-on streaming, Twitter, Facebook and Last.fm add-ons we’ve been expecting — ahead of its official release in order to shake out any remaining bugs. While worldwide console owners should scrape together console IDs, make & model of your TV, router and more in hopes of receiving an invite next week, a little more concrete news is in order for the UK, with the console launch of Sky TV nailed down for October 27. You’ll have to wait until then to find out exact pricing and channel line up availability, ’til then it’s a matter of finding out who on your friends list is most suited for the inevitable football viewing party.

[Via Joystiq & NeoGAF]

Read – Xbox Live update Preview Program
Read – Xbox.com – Set a date for Sky Player!

China Blue HD crosses over to the UK, third Opium War inevitable

metrocarryzjj — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:56:17 +0000

We’ve given HD DVD’s bastard child China Blue HD its due for a good start in its native land, but now that U.K. Importer GBAX has made a few units available it’s time for English language buyers to at least consider this Blu-ray alternative. Of course, with a £259.99 ($413.22 U.S.) pricetag for this plain TCL player, AV and HD cables, plus 14 CBHD movies (The Aviator, Blood Diamond, The Invasion, The Island, Flood, Poseidon & 8 Chinese-only flicks) to get you started the barrier to entry is high, but as shown in the unboxing / preview video — embedded after the break, watch for ninjas — the experience is very familiar. As Format War Central points out, the 220/240Hz power cord makes things complicated for the U.S. and other places outside Europe, but hardcore HD DVD holdouts are used to a world filled with only Warner and Universal movies already, so why not give the other blue laser flavor a try?

[Via Format War Central]